PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Henry The Crab (ranked 1386 p4p, 76 weight class) and Ma Moru (ranked 578 p4p, 31 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

The Crab
vs
Moru

170 cm
29
140 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

163 cm
28
140 lbs
17 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Sportivité

Dark Knight Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Henry The Crab!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ma Moru!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Ian Loll and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moru throws a lazy right hand but The Crab sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The Crab drops down looking for a counter takedown but Moru sprawls and moves away.
The Crab takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The Crab shoots in for a double leg but Moru sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Moru scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. The Crab doesn't seem bothered though.
Moru misses with a body shot.
Moru lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

The Crab gets the takedown into side control.
Moru is looking to regain half guard here but The Crab keeps moving and retains side control.
Moru wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Moru struggling a bit here.
Moru tries to buck The Crab off but The Crab is having none of it.
Moru is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moru is trying to get back to his feet.

The Crab wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Moru, who protects the arm well.
Moru stops The Crab from passing to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The Crab thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Moru tries to get back to half guard but can't.

The Crab wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Moru, who protects the arm well.
Moru tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The Crab working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The Crab wants to control but Moru is keeping him busy.
Moru can't do much from the bottom here.
The Crab wants to control but Moru is keeping him busy.
Moru is trying to control The Crab's posture but The Crab avoids it.
Moru is looking for a sweep.

The Crab is trying to get an arm triangle but Moru is defending well.
Moru avoids any damage from the ground and pound of The Crab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moru wants to control but The Crab postures up.
The Crab controls the position.
Moru is trying to improve his position.
Moru is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked The Crab off and has taken his back!
Moru has good solid back control here.
The Crab can't escape the position.
The Crab manages to reverse the position and now he's in Moru's guard. Nice work there by The Crab.
The Crab tries to free his leg and advance position but Moru is retaining full guard.
Moru is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The Crab looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moru is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Moru stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows The Crab to get to his feet.
Moru fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Moru has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
The Crab tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Moru swivels and escapes.
It seemed like Moru was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
No luck with that takedown attempt from The Crab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henry The Crab. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Moru lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Moru takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The fighters circle momentarily. Moru darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The Crab looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Moru is fending him off so far but The Crab persists. Nope, Moru circles away and we're back to standing.
Moru connects with an inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ma Moru dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

The Crab throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Moru misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A nice leg kick lands there from Moru.
We've been told by The Crab's head coaches at Panda Sprawl n Brawl that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

The Crab shoots in and bounces Moru off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Moru wants to stand up but The Crab is controlling him.

The Crab is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Moru is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Moru has escaped and now he's on top!

Moru passes The Crab's left leg - he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moru is trying to control. The Crab wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The Crab looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

The Crab actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Crab actively working from the bottom here.
The Crab is trying to get back to full guard.
The Crab is working hard here to advance position.
Moru thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Moru is taking a breather. The Crab says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Moru has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Moru throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Moru seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Moru is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Moru wants to lay and pray for a moment but The Crab keeps working.
Moru prevents The Crab from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The Crab is refusing to be controlled, as Moru sits in half guard.

The Crab looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The Crab is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Moru's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Moru's back!

The Crab looking for the RNC.
Moru is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
The Crab is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

Moru is trying to shake The Crab off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! The Crab won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.
Nice body punch from Moru.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moru lands with a kick to the temple. The Crab shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Moru lands with a straight right. The Crab didn't see that one coming.
The Crab tries for a takedown but Moru sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The Crab moves away from the strike by Moru.
The Crab half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
The Crab fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Moru looks to land a left hand but The Crab moved out of range nicely.
Moru's jab looks to have found its range, popping The Crab under the eye.
The Crab has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henry The Crab. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice inside leg kick there by Moru. That's going to slow The Crab down.
Moru connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Moru throws a shot to the body.

The Crab closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Moru prevents the takedown attempt.
The Crab fails to pull guard.
Moru lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Henry The Crab has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Crab is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Moru pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The Crab has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Moru is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Moru is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Moru tries a body shot but The Crab blocks it.
Moru softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The Crab is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Moru pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Moru is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. The Crab is defending well for now.
Moru misses with the head strike.
Moru throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but The Crab blocks it with crossed arms.
Moru scores with a shot to the side of The Crab's head.

Moru breaks the clinch.
The Crab fails with a takedown attempt.
Moru is looking to slow The Crab down with leg kicks.
Moru throws a head kick that misses.
Moru swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ma Moru showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Henry The Crab's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Moru scores with a jab to the body.
The Crab shoots in but no luck this time.
The Crab moves away from the strike by Moru.
Ma Moru seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The Crab on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Moru. Moru obviously looking to wear him down.
Moru scores with a jab to the jaw.
Moru keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Moru dips to his left and cracks The Crab with an uppercut!
Moru loads up on a big right hand but The Crab slips the punch.
Moru looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Crab takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The Crab tries for a takedown but Moru circles away easily
letting Moru counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henry The Crab. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Moru fakes high and swings low for a body shot but The Crab manages to avoid it.
Moru misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Crab tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Moru manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Moru throws out a loose jab but The Crab uses good head movement to avoid it.
The Crab misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
As The Crab backs off Moru throws a huge counter combo but The Crab manages to avoid it all.
Moru looks to score with a jab to the body but The Crab is just out of range.
The Crab drops his hands momentarily and Moru takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

The Crab has managed to clinch.
Moru working aggressively here.
Moru lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Moru lands with a left to the head.
The Crab drops down looking for an ankle pick but Moru pulls his leg out and moves away.
The Crab is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The Crab fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A shot to the liver by Moru. Beautiful body shot.
Ma Moru seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Moru misses with an uppercut.
Moru lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Moru is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The Crab tries to counter with a takedown but Moru is quick to defend against it.
Henry The Crab has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moru lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Moru fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt The Crab.
Moru cracks The Crab with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The Crab bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The Crab takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A punch lands to the side of Moru 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The Crab cracks Moru with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The Crab lands with a nice body punch.
Good exchange - Moru coming out on top.
Some wild striking there from Moru.
The Crab darts in looking for a takedown but Moru gets double underhooks and turns The Crab into the cage.
Moru ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The Crab is looking to clinch but Moru is avoiding it.
Moru throws a one two combo.
Ma Moru is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moru scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The Crab shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Moru as he jumps to the side.
The Crab tries for a takedown but Moru sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Donk. Moru catches The Crab right on the button with a cross.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Moru.
The Crab chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Moru can pounce on him.
The Crab takes a kick to the side of the head.
The Crab walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Moru throws a good cross that connects.
Moru digs a good hook to The Crab's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The Crab fails with a takedown attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Moru.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Crab misses with a takedown
and Moru counters with a stiff right hand.
The Crab walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Moru scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Moru lands a nice hook to The Crab's body. The Crab takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Moru lands a nice shot to the body.
The Crab closes the distance and clinches up with Moru, looking for a takedown. The Crab pushes Moru against the cage but Moru circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Moru connects with a body shot.
The Crab shoots in for a takedown but Moru shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The Crab takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The Crab takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Moru scores with a jab to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Moru moves into range and connects with a jab.
The Crab misses with a takedown
and Moru counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Moru misses with the combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ma Moru comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Moru winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 26:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ma Moru!
An out of breath and clearly excited Ma Moru thanked Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).
Henry The Crab was interviewed post fight and said 'Respect man, respect!'.